WINDHOEK/OSHAKATI/RUNDU/KEETMANSHOOP – Namibians took time out of their busy schedules to pray yesterday in heeding the call by President Hifikepunye Pohamba for a National Day of Prayer against Gender-Based Violence that is on the increase in the country.
In Keetmanshoop the W K Rover Hall in Tseiblaagte was filled to the brim and many service-goers had to sit on the floor, while others crowded around the windows and main doors of the hall. With no more space inside the hall people took refuge under trees outside.
In Oshakati, thousands who filled the Oshakati Independence Stadium took an oath to refrain from committing, participating in or contributing to any action that may lead to gender-based violence. Thousands also flocked to the Rundu sports field to join in the prayer service led by Bishop Johannes Sindano of the ELCIN Church.
In Windhoek the Sam Nujoma Stadium was packed to capacity with service attendees from all walks of life who braced the hot weather to listen to religious messages from a rabbi, a Muslim cleric, Pentecostal pastors and ministers from other mainstream churches.
“No more gender-based violence! No more killing of Namibian women and girls! No more bloodshed! No more raping!” called out Pohamba at the Sam Nujoma Stadium to resounding cheers and cries from the crowd. Regional governors simultaneously read Pohamba’s speech in all 13 regions. The President said yesterday’s national response is an important step forward for the nation and the country should not look back or relent.
“Our women and girls deserve protection in their own homes, communities and country,” he said, adding that citizens should not allow a few criminally minded individuals to disturb peace, stability and social harmony in the country.
Minister of Home Affairs Pendukeni Iivula-Iithana announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs together with the Ministry of Safety and Security had identified places to incarcerate people convicted of committing gender-based violence, that they be held separately from ordinary criminals. “They do not deserve to be among [other criminals],” she said.
Pohamba promised that government would act swiftly to implement measures and policies that would deny bail and increase stiffer sentences for perpetrators of gender-based violence.
“Our government is gravely concerned about the deteriorating situation of gender-based violence in our country. We are concerned about the loss of lives of those who fall victim to this crime almost every day,” the President said, adding that there is a need for a comprehensive national strategy to deal with GBV that has destroyed so many lives, brought immense grief to families and communities and tarnished the image of Namibia.
Pohamba said it was imperative that boys are taught from a tender age to avoid violence, to respect themselves and others and especially women and girls. He further called on schools, religious institutions and workplaces to become partners in combating GBV.
The prayer session in Windhoek saw sermons from Reverend Maria Kapere, Secretary General of the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) and Muslim Sheikh Abdullah Haroon on gender-based violence in general, Sandra Tjitendero on peace, and Rabbi Zvi Gorelick on family values. It was however the sermon by Pastor Zelda van der Colf that moved the crowd to join in with spontaneous Pentecostal-type prayers of their own with hands raised in the air.
At 13h00, Pohamba accompanied by the Founding Father Dr Sam Nujoma and other leaders lit candles and the nation observed a moment of silence.
In Oshakati Reverend Lukas Katenda of the Anglican Diocese Church of Namibia led the gathering to take an oath against gender-based violence and preached on adulterous behaviour, alcohol and drug abuse and greed as the top contributing factors to the atrocious situation of violence.
Men made a vow to respect women, to treat them with love and to never hurt them. Women on the other hand also rose and vowed to refrain from using their femininity to acquire material gifts, to provoke men in a way that may lead to violence, and to honour their God-given roles as women as well as their motherly responsibilities in their homes.
By Magreth Nunuhe, Helvy Shaanika, Jemima Beukes and John Muyamba